When many of us think of divorce and dissolving a marriage, we automatically think about a lengthy and contentious court battle. Maybe you have a friend or family member that has recently been through a difficult divorce, or perhaps you have been influenced by images and stories that are all over TV and social media. The messages we receive in our society about divorce are generally quite negative as a whole. However, while a divorce is never considered easy, it can be handled amicably, with less stress, conflict and financial strain than you might expect. A strong legal team like Kallemeyn & Kallemeyn understands the complexity of divorce and will work to help you dissolve your marriage with minimal disruption, conflict and animosity. We have more than two decades of legal experience and serve clients in the Coon Rapids, Anoka, Blaine, Andover, and Ham Lake, MN area. Read Full Post

Family law is defined as an area of law that deals with a wide variety of family relationships, rights, duties and finances. Kallemeyn & Kallemeyn is one of the leading family law practice in the Coon Rapids, MN area, focusing on a wide array of family law issues including: Read Full Post

Any adult can apply to their district court for a name change, for themselves and for their minor children, at any time so long as they have resided in Minnesota for longer than 180 days. This is covered under Minnesota Statute Section 259. In addition, and as part of a dissolution of marriage proceeding, either spouse may request a change of his or her own name. The advantage to this latter method is that the name change does not require an additional filing fee. The disadvantage is that name changes pursuant to dissolutions are not extended to the minor children, and under 259.10, no minor child’s name may be changed without both parents having notice of the pending of the application for change of name. The court shall grant a request unless it finds that there is an intent to defraud or mislead, unless the name change is subject to section 259.13 (if someone has been convicted of certain criminal offenses), in which case the requirements of that section apply. The court shall notify the parties that use of a different surname after dissolution or legal separation without complying with section 259.13, if applicable, is a gross misdemeanor. I have seen many nuances to name changes in my years in Anoka County. A few folks have opted to remove their last name completely and a few men have demanded that their soon-to-be ex-wife ‘give him his name back’. The Court will grant permission for any reasonable name change, but in the latter case, I always let them know that under the divorce statute, the ‘requesting party’ can only have...